Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It's the unofficial start to summer, and, more importantly, a time to honor our brave men and women who have and still do place their lives on the line for our freedom. Here's to you!

We recently got away for a vacation to kick off summer. Island vacations are my very favorite. I love the ease of living, the way the palms sway when the breezes blow, eating fish tacos, lounging in the sun with a good book, and sipping on fresh-squeezed lemonade whenever possible. When it comes to packing for this kind of trip, I'm always drawn toward the easy, breezy separates that can be mixed and matched to create multiple looks. One of my go-to looks is classic white on white. To me, it's very resort chic and keeps me cool when temperatures rise. The sun was just beginning to set as we took these photos, and the late afternoon light cast a beautiful golden glow across the warm sandy beach; simply lovely! Do you ever rock the all white look?

When I'm hosting a party or get-together with friends, the first thing I like to create is a fun drink for guests to enjoy. Summer always makes me think of fresh fruits, flowers, and a cool glass of lemonade or fruit juice after a day in the sun. For a special brunch on the patio, this swift and simple sip is as delicious as it is easy! To create, I combined:

2 cups of chilled orange juice

2 cups of sparkling water

3 cups of chilled pineapple juice

I'll double or triple the recipe depending on the size of the party, and even add a splash or two of guava nectar if desired. Garnish each glass with a few ice cubes, a fresh strawberry or citrus wedge, and enjoy! Serve alongside coconut waffles or a spring-mix salad. Enjoy!

I love brunch. It's a fun reason to get friends or family together to share some quality time and good food. Is it breakfast? Lunch? Whatever you're in the mood for is the right choice. Now that the weather is warm, I'm dreaming of all things tropical-inspired, and this is my how-to for a colorful, fun get-together. For something that's not too formal, I often turn to Paperless Post for their whimsical and pretty designs. This one is my favorite brunch invite!

Next, I always create an inspiration board or pin a few things to my Party Inspiration board on Pinterest. You can always tell when I've got a particular theme I'm working on, as the pins all seem to go together. This helps me to get some cohesion and organization when it comes to putting colors, recipes, and decor together to create a particular experience. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the content on Pinterest, so limit your search to specific items, and have a few ideas in mind before you begin scrolling.

It is so important to have a set of go-to entertaining pieces in your home. To avoid purchasing a completely new dining set each time I host a party, I always begin every tablescape with white dinner plates, and I often use gold chargers and gold flatware. Most prints, colors, and decorative pieces can be added to this to create just about any kind of look. For a themed event, it can be fun to pick up a specialty dish like this one, pretty napkins, or a fun set of glassware.

Next, you'll want to choose your recipes and make a list of things you'll need to pick up at the store. One of my personal favorites for brunch is a flavorful and colorful acai bowl. Kids and adults alike enjoy crafting their own combinations to create something sweet and healthy! I would suggest setting up a bar station with all kinds of toppings like coconut flakes, chia seeds, granola, fresh fruit, berries, and honey. Here's an easy recipe for creating your bowls! In addition to acai bowls, I'd serve fresh fruit juices, a mixed kale and strawberry salad (for those who are feeling more inclined toward lunch food), and have a loaf of banana bread sliced on a wooden serving board. Yum!

When I'm hosting a brunch or party of any kind, my go-to hostess look is a pretty dress, jumpsuit/romper, or pair of printed pants. I'm all about being comfortable! The last thing you want to be thinking about is fussing with some sort of tricky outfit or piece that won't stay put as you entertain. I love this dress and the print is so on trend and perfect for a tropical brunch! This jumpsuit would also be pretty, playful, and ultra comfortable!

Remember, whatever happens, make sure you are able to enjoy the moments celebrating with friends and family. Instead of being stuck in the kitchen, fussing over the tiniest of details, or worrying if your guests are having fun, decide to relax and enjoy the conversations, laughter, and time together. The best parties and get-togethers aren't the most perfect, they are always the ones that are filled with fun and celebration! Cheers!

It's easy to get stuck in the same old routine of work, and we're often asked to do more in a shorter amount of time, am I right? If you're feeling like you need a little boost, much like a cup of coffee in the morning, here's a few quick tips that will help you seize the day and accomplish that extra task or assignment.

1. Set the right kind of goals.
Just because we have a "goal" doesn't mean that we're automatically set up for success, in fact, many people set goals the wrong way. Instead of looking backward at what we've been able to accomplish in the past, and setting goals from there, look ahead at what you could do if you were giving your very best to the task at hand. Set a goal that is measurable, specific, and attainable, but don't think too small! If a goal is important, you must write it down. Things will not come to fruition if you just keep them as nebulous good thoughts in your head, sorry. Write your goals down and put that card in a place where you can view it everyday. That card will serve as a daily reminder of where you are going, and the great things you're tracking towards!

2. Organize your day so you don't waste time.
Priorities, priorities! This is so critical to a productive and fruitful day. I'm talking about more than making sure you're getting your coffee in the morning. This is about scheduling your day to reflect what is most important, not necessarily what is most urgent. We're often in reaction mode, and we respond to the things that pop up and feel pressured to handle those tasks right away. I challenge you, the next time one of those appears, to evaluate the task or situation in terms of importance vs urgency. Not everything that is urgent is important. Invest your time working on the things of greatest importance and you'll find that your time becomes far more productive and valuable.

3. Get enough sleep and stay hydrated.
When life gets busy, it's easy to neglect things like enough sleep and water. Your brain functions better when the body is properly cared for. I know this sounds obvious, but it's easily forgotten. Instead of burning the candle at both ends, get. some. sleep. You'll find that your mind is sharper, more creative, and focused when it's well rested. The same concept applies to water. Most of us aren't drinking enough water. My suggestion? Keep a large bottle or two by your desk, and challenge yourself to refill it a couple times throughout the day? There's plenty of cute container options out there from sport bottles to glass containers, and even bottles with built in infusers that you can throw fresh fruit and mint leaves into (for those of you who think plain water is boring). When you're properly hydrated, you perform better. Trust me. Besides, you get a side benefit of a slimmer waistline and clear skin...what's not to like?

Maxi dresses are one of the easiest style tricks in the book. Throw one on with a few sparkling accessories, and these pretty pieces can be dressed up or down for just about any occasion. I love the breezy, effortlessly cool feel of a long dress, and this one has a pretty crisscrossed strap detail in the back. The combination of blue and white feels so fresh, and it reminds me of long summer days spent at the beach or enjoying an afternoon picnic and looking at the shapes in the clouds. Dresses like this are also great for travel, and you could easily belt this or tie up the side of the hemline to give it a different look. Stuck in a style rut? A pretty maxi dress can help you mix things up a little.